I had a couple of days to rest after the drive to Wisconsin. It was _very_ necessary. It was hard to tell how much I was recovering from the drive, a cold, or both.

Wednesday and Thursday were spent in Madison looking at apartments. My wife had scheduled a lot of apartment viewings - 14 over two days. I was lucky to find time for lunch.

While initially very nervous about apartment availability, I think we were spoiled for choice. Don't misunderstand, there were still tradeoffs but we would have been happy in any of the four final places for consideration.

There was the expensive option - close to the capitol, new modern building with a gym, grocery store on the first floor, heated parking. I'm kind of surprised my wife wasn't more interested. She might think about that place when its 20°F outside.

Then the middle tier options. New construction, modern buildings, a bit north of the city. The main problem was that we really wanted a 3 bedroom and these only went to two. Why do people want ginormous bedrooms? How much time do people spend there?

Finally, the cheap-yet-well-cared-for 3 bedroom. My wife had some reservations about this but i think it was just fear of commitment. It doesn't look like much from the outside but i think we'll enjoy making it our own. The location is very good.

Oh, bffft - we wanted a spare bedroom for visitors. Also, I could use an office since I'll be working remotely.

The second day of apartment viewing ended with me providing a photo tour of the properties to the wife. It was a long @#$%& day. The conversation became a justification for and against the cheap 3 bedroom which pretty much meant it had won but we were so exhausted we couldn't declare it until the next morning.

Already getting the windshield repaired on the new car. Must have been gravel. Nice long crack on the passenger side.

Today is a rest day. Tomorrow I fly back to new york.

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Congrats on finding a place.

Once you are settled in, head out to Middleton and check out the National Mustard Museum. No, I'm not kidding. I live in NYC and can't find anything except Grey Poupon, basic yellow mustard, or a couple of sweet mustard brands.

The Mustard Museum ships, but for best results, visit the store where you can sample any mustard before you buy. Not cheap, but definitely worth it if you are a mustard lover.

Congrats!

And glad to know you are thinking of MRFer visitors when selecting your apartment! How considerate.

That's the difference between WI and NY: Finding an apartment IN Madison as opposed to ON Madison.

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It is what it is.

So glad you found a place. Good choice going with the extra bedroom, IMHO.
Sounds like the move is going pretty well, so far. Keep up the good work.

How are da kitties doing now that they have been in the new city for a few days?

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

Check the cell reception at the place you decide on. Your phone, inside the apartment. And verify what broadband options are available.

When do i show up?

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

I think you will enjoy Madison.

Quote
GGD
Check the cell reception at the place you decide on. Your phone, inside the apartment. And verify what broadband options are available.

40 mbps broadband and cell reception were in the top five of my checklist for a new place.

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In tha 360. MRF User Map

Great matt! I know how stressful moving can be. My last two moves about put me under. Hang in!

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That old man - he don't think like no old man...
Now I wouldn't want to be within 400 - 500 yards of one of them nuclear bombs when it goes off! WW1 Vet Old Man
"He's pinned under an outcropping of rock. Lucky for him, the rock kept the dirt from burying him alive."
If idiots could fly, this place would be an airport. And I'd be a TSA agent.
A bonified member of The Mystic Knights of The Sea, George P. Stevens, President. Andy Brown, Treasurer, Algonquin J. Calhoun, Legal Consultant.

Congratulations for your new abode.

With that third bedroom just think how much room you'll have for extra STUFF! I'm thinking bikes and macs.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

or baby #2!

I got a place with an extra bedroom just so I would be able to put my car in the garage.

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In tha 360. MRF User Map

Matt,

Trust me when I say that 3rd bedroom is going to be truly worthwhile. My wife, daughter and I live in a 2 bedroom. Prior to the arrival of Little M, our 2nd bedroom was an office. Shortly before her birth, we emptied that room entirely and moved two desks, computer setups and various other pieces of equipment into our master bedroom and living room. That way, the 2nd bedroom would become her room entirely.

I wish we had a 3rd bedroom. Unfortunately, 3 bedroom apartments in my area are expensive. They tend to be in the price range of a small house, something we couldn't afford. Maybe in the future.We're doing fine where we are since, as a 2 bedroom, our apartment is still quite large and spacious since it is well designed.

Robert

Quote
ka jowct
Congrats on finding a place.

Once you are settled in, head out to Middleton and check out the National Mustard Museum. No, I'm not kidding. I live in NYC and can't find anything except Grey Poupon, basic yellow mustard, or a couple of sweet mustard brands.

The Mustard Museum ships, but for best results, visit the store where you can sample any mustard before you buy. Not cheap, but definitely worth it if you are a mustard lover.

I am so there! Well, not sure if I'll be in the neighborhood, but if I am, that's my kind of place.

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Hurts like a bastid...

With a kid and working remotely, I'm surprised a two bedroom place was even a consideration.

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I might get a coworking space.

We didn't find many 3+ bedroom apts.

Quote
M A V I C
With a kid and working remotely, I'm surprised a two bedroom place was even a consideration.

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If you have questions about areas feel free to pm me. I have been a firefighter in Madison for many years.

gg

Quote
Ammo
I think you will enjoy Madison.

I agree. It's a great mid-sized town. It's also a bit of a different culture. When we visited family there 2 weeks ago, they took us out for the "true supper club experience". Probably not what you think. This (working class) place was packed, with adults of all ages including moms and dads at the bar holding kids on their laps and putting away Old Fashioneds for an hour or two until a table opened up for the much awaited Friday night fish fry.

I know that doesn't necessarily sound wonderful, but there is a spirit of celebration and energy and shared experience there which I find unique and different from neighboring MN (where I live), which is a little more nordic and restrained. Folks in Madison give you the impression that they really like to dive in and enjoy life and socializing and whatnot.

Quote
mattkime
I might get a coworking space.

We didn't find many 3+ bedroom apts.

Quote
M A V I C
With a kid and working remotely, I'm surprised a two bedroom place was even a consideration.

Good thought. If I was transitioning like you and hadn't been in consulting, I would have gone the coworking route.

---

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